will47 Loc: Indianapolis, IN

I have been considering one of these. Does anyone who has experience with them have any comments about them? Thanks.

Jim Bob

Use search function.

Old Timer Loc: Greenfield, In.

If you use a large lens 300 mm or larger and shoot birds and wild life they are almost a must in my opinion. I have one and have been considering buying a second one. I use mine almost exclusively when using a tripod. After you get used to using one it almost comes as second instinct in using one.

joer Loc: Colorado/Illinois

Gimbals are intended for long lenses. They allow you to balance the camera and lens. When adjusted properly the camera can move effortlessly in all directions and balance in place when you let go.

They are heavy, bulky and expensive but indispensable for shooting with long heavy tele lenses on a tripod.

WayneT Loc: Paris, TN

They're great if you have a lens with a mounting ring. If you use an 'L' bracket on your camera you will need to take it off and put on a quick release or add it to the 'L' bracket to use it with a camera body. They work the best with large lenses.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

All said so far is correct but the main point for me is the free movement in all directions with a bit more smoothness and control than hand held. I think of it as being similar to a machine gun on a pedestal mount for anti-aircraft use.
Only hand held gives you more freedom of movement, but the tripod and gimbal don't make you tired so fast. Esp when the subject stops moving and you spend a long time pointed at one spot. I actually hand hold more than use the tripod, at least while I still can, I use a pistol grip on the lens' tripod mount. I also often put a Red Dot sight on the flash shoe which with the gimbal allows me to keep track of movement and the whole situation with one eye while the other looks through the Red Dot to keep the subject centered.

I use a Nest NT-530H, note it comes in two versions, one is for VERY cold conditions, it uses a much thinner dampening fluid.
http://www.cameracottage.com/equipment This is the business of an UHH member MT Shooter. I also have a Nest carbon fiber tripod that I mount it on.

imagemeister Loc: mid east Florida

Hard to change perspective forground/backround quickly/easily due to relative im-mobility with tripod. Relatively expensive for a good one. Most appropriate for lenses over 6 lbs. There are some pretty good options - like my bodypod.

http://www.carolinawildphoto.com/gimbal_list.htm

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

They are a mixed blessing. On one hand, they provide a stable platform for use with collared lenses, allowing you to perfectly balance the lens/camera combo so that it can be moved easily to follow an active subject.

On the other hand, you often find yourself jumping and tripping over tripod legs. A 6 or 7 lb lens is hard to hand hold, but a 4-5 lb lens is far easier. Cameras have gotten better as far as noise at higher ISO's so the question is how many shots are you going to miss while you track a bird flying across your field of vision, vs how many you will miss because there was some camera shake.

Seeing the pitfalls 7 yrs ago when I was facing this same decision, I opted for the Manfrotto 393. Incredibly stable double "U" design, and under $190. I've used it in snow, rain, deserts - and it just never complains. I use it almost exclusively with a 600mm F4. I have a 100-300 F4 and a 150-600 that never go on a tripod because I can get good results without one. They do work well, but I am always leery of the $200 or $300 copy of the $600 Wimberley. For the extra $$$ it's worth getting the real thing. The last thing I want is something that stops working when I need it most, or the camera and lens falls off because something broke. It's not worth saving $300-$400 in my opinion.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

I have the Manfrotto 393 Gene referred to and is a great bang for the buck. I got extra plates and a quick release mount for my monopod as well. Good for hiking and resting against trees or sitting down. I did shelve it in favor of the Wimberley WH-200. One of the benefits of the WH-200 is that everything I own is arca-swiss compatible from gimbal,monopod and ball-head to l-plate and lens plates. Steep price to pay for convenience.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

My 393 is Arca Swiss compatible . . .

(Download)

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

So is my shoulder strap with it's quick release that holds my cameras by their l-plates! I went from three different systems to one. Learned a lot of hard lessons...

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

Here is a gimbal head at a reasonable price that should perform well. Personally I own a MOVO carbon fiber that I purchased at a similar price that performs just fine, had I seen this ad first this is the gimbal that I would have purchased based on some of the feedback I have seen here on the Hog. If I am going to be shooting in basically in one area I use the gimbal, it is great and greatly reduces the physical effort expended on an afternoon of shooting, If I am going to be on a nature walk, I leave the gimbal at home. I even use it when shooting with the smaller of my bigger lenses, it is easier to track with a gimbal and it has to improve stability during shooting.

http://www.lightinthebox.com/nest-nt-530h-gimbal-head-tilt-head-bird-watching-head_p3583717.html?prm=1.5.1.1

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

this is a Chinese company selling gray market versions shipped from China, no US warranty.
MT Shooter here on the UHH is the US Distributor through his store in Montans "Carter's Camera Cottage".

John N Loc: HP14 3QF Stokenchurch, UK

A good ball head might provide a cheap alternative. I've used mine for panning etc., but I only do it occasionally so I don't really want to invest in a gimbal head which is undoubtedly better.

Buildrt Loc: Sarasota Fl

Purchased one of these from MT Shooter a couple years ago and would not give it up for anything, nice unit.